Frontman John Kay's mother escaped with him at age 4 from Soviet occupied East Germany, an event recounted in the song "Renegade" on the album Steppenwolf Seven. His family resettled in Hannover, West Germany, before moving to Canada in 1958. Kay is partially blind, hence the use of dark glasses
In 1968, Nick St. Nicholas replaced Moreve as bass player.
Steppenwolf had its origins in the Toronto blues band Sparrow, which was formed in 1964 and played coffeehouses in Yorkville. By 1967 they had settled in San Francisco.
Steppenwolf rocketed to fame after their third single, "Born to Be Wild" was used in the movie Easy Rider, as well as "The Pusher". The former song may have coined the term "heavy metal". This was followed by several more hits, including "Magic Carpet Ride" from Steppenwolf the Second, and "Rock Me" from At Your Birthday Party. Many fans consider their double album Steppenwolf Live [an extended single album in the UK] the best of Steppenwolf's releases. Monster and For Ladies Only were the band's most political albums, and are still fondly remembered by fans as two of the best rock & roll snapshots of the attitudes of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The band broke up in 1971, and Kay pursued a solo career. Steppenwolf reformed in 1974 with the album Slow Flux, and disbanded in 1976. Afterwards, several versions of the band toured North America until Kay reformed the official version of the group in 1980.
John Kay released a solo album in 2001.
Hey Lawdy Mama
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thank you girl but I know this town
It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
Don't you know they're all the same,
Only difference is the name
It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
Three motels, dusty cars,
Movie shows and a dozen bars
Only thing that I can say
We'll be here for just one day
CHORUS:
Baby, don't you know
We're leaving early in the mornin'
So long I don't know
We might be back next year
Maybe it just might be never
Don't you worry 'bout it
So long, good to know
Your smilin' face was here
This town is boring you to tears
Nothing in the world ever happens here
It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
Don't you know you gotta help
Nothing ever happens by itself
It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
If no one will share the load
Go pack your bag for the open road
It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
Try to find someone like you
Hope he'll tell you what to do
REPEAT CHORUS
The lyrics to Steppenwolf's song "Hey Lawdy Mama" tell the story of a man who is bored with his hometown and is visited by a woman who wants to show him around. He politely declines, saying that he knows the town already and wants to leave. He describes the town as having three motels, dusty cars, movie shows, and a dozen bars - nothing interesting happening there at all. However, he encourages the woman to help make something happen, saying that "nothing ever happens by itself". He advises her to find someone like him who will tell her what to do.
The song's lyrics express a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction with the monotony of small-town life. The singer clearly feels that he is capable of more than what his hometown has to offer, and encourages others to pursue their dreams and seek out new experiences. The chorus reinforces this idea, with its repeated refrain of "we're leaving early in the morning" - a clear indication that the man is looking for something more than what his hometown can provide.
Overall, "Hey Lawdy Mama" is a powerful example of rock music's ability to explore themes of rebellion, restlessness, and the desire for something more. The song's driving beat and catchy guitar riff make it an enduring classic of the genre, and it remains a favorite of rock fans everywhere.
Line by Line Meaning
You'd like to show me all around
You want to take me on a tour of this town
Thank you girl but I know this town
I appreciate your offer, but I am already familiar with this town
It's all right hey lawdy mama, it's all right
There's nothing to worry about, everything is fine
Don't you know they're all the same,
All the places in this town are similar
Only difference is the name
The only thing that sets them apart is their names
Three motels, dusty cars,
This town has three motels and old, dirty cars
Movie shows and a dozen bars
There are movie theaters and plenty of bars around
Only thing that I can say
The only thing I must admit is
We'll be here for just one day
We're only staying in this town for a day
Baby, don't you know
My dear, don't you realize
We're leaving early in the mornin'
We're departing early in the morning
So long I don't know
I'm not sure how long it will take for us to return
We might be back next year
There's a possibility that we'll come back the following year
Maybe it just might be never
It's possible that we'll never return
Don't you worry 'bout it
You don't need to worry about it
So long, good to know
Goodbye, it was nice to meet you
Your smilin' face was here
I appreciate your warm presence
This town is boring you to tears
This town is extremely dull
Nothing in the world ever happens here
Absolutely nothing ever takes place in this town
Don't you know you gotta help
You must understand that you need to contribute to make things happen in this town
Nothing ever happens by itself
Events never come together by chance
If no one will share the load
If no one lends a helping hand
Go pack your bag for the open road
You should get ready to leave this town for adventure elsewhere
Try to find someone like you
Search for a similar minded person
Hope he'll tell you what to do
Perhaps they will guide you and provide direction
REPEAT CHORUS
The chorus repeats
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JERRY EDMONTON, JOHN KAY, LARRY CLIFTON BYROM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TOWER TOP
You'd like to show me all around
Thank you girl but I know this town
It's alright, hey lawdy mama, it's alright
Don't you know they're all the same
Only difference is the name
It's alright, hey lawdy mama, it's alright
Three motels, dusty cars
A movie show and a dozen bars
It's alright, hey lawdy mama, it's alright
Only thing that I can say
Is we'll be here for just one day
Baby don't you know we're
Leavin' early in the mornin'
So long, I don't know we might be back next year
Baby it just might be never
Don't cha worry 'bout it
So long, good to know your smilin' face was here
This town is boring you to tears
Nothing in the world ever happens here
It's alright, hey lawdy mama, it's alright
Don't you know you've got to help
Nothing ever happens by itself
It's alright, hey lawdy mama, it's alright
If no one will share the load
Go pack your bags, hit the open road
It's alright, hey lawdy mama, it's alright
Try to find someone like you
Hope will tell you what to do
Baby don't you know we're
Leavin' early in the mornin'
So long, I don't know we might be back next year
Baby it just might be never
Don't cha worry 'bout it
So long good to know your smilin' face was here
LordGrokken
The only reason this band is not in the Hall of Fame is that, it can't contain the awesome.
Ognir Rrats
I don't care about the R&R HOF.
steelermule
Dont fear, ABBA is in there Bahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Arden Carpenter
Totally agree friend
Dan Owczarzak
Exactly !!!
birage
It is amazing when I think about all the cool songs this band did, yet it seems like all you ever hear is Born to be wild and Magic carpet ride on the radio. Steppenwolf Seven, classic!
Aschule
Foggy Mental Breakdown
Michael D. Bauer
@Frank Davis Sounds fantastic.
Frank Davis
We got a new radio station 96.5 the crab in mobile,Al. Well I have heard music that I've never listened to on radio. Monster, jaded strumpet, rock me baby. You like Robin Trower, bridge of sighs, what about Alvin Lee I'd love to change the world! Grand funk time machine. Man this is best station I've ever heard!
Michael D. Bauer
You are correct. Those are 2 over played songs when their catalog was huge.